Job Discussion Forums

[itchyfoot]

Although there doesn't seem to be much interest in Yemen at this time, there is also very little information. I thought i would post my experience with YCMES in Sana'a

The fact of the matter is, this is a terrible place to work. Over the last 6 months, the school has seen a ridiculous turn-around of 13 staff members arriving and leaving. 7 have quit, 6 were fired. Admittedly, some of these premature departures were due to the difficult living conditions in Yemen. However, the majority were due to the deplorable management, namely the schools president.

Previously a centre for Arabic learning, the school has had to reinvent itself into an English school as no foreign students want to study n Yemen at the moment. A number of qualified, experienced directors have been brought in to fix the program. But the president is a constant source of struggle. He lacks any organization, plan or logic. As such, unrealistic expectations are placed on staff. After more than a decade in the industry, i can confidently say he's the worst manager i've worked with.

Perhaps more concerning for teachers is the financial situation of the school. Student numbers are low, but costs are high. The school is losing significant amounts of money. Pay is often late. The president has even asked to borrow money from staff to buy textbooks. Beyond the horrible working conditions, there is no guarantee of getting paid.

I cannot stress strongly enough that nobody should even remotely consider working for YCMES. The president will lie through his teeth to get you in country. Flight initially said to be paid for are actually deducted from your first salary payment. The college is not accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. There are no organized cultural trips. And Arabic classes are often cancelled.

Do NOT work for YCMES.

[bulgogiboy]

Thanks for this helpful post. I did a phone interview with a couple of people from YCMES a few years ago. I decided against it primarily due to the security concerns, which were worsening daily, but also because one or two things I was told seemed a little fishy.

[sliim]

It sounds just like MALI and that other place that closed down a few years ago. As far as ESL in Yemen goes, it is par for the course really.

I am sorry to hear you had such a bad experience. My bad experience in Yemen pointed me to a different career path--so it turned out to be a good thing for me after all.

Best of luck in the future.

[crewmeal1]

They're advertising again in the job section. This time limiting the applications to what seems to be university lecturers. How on earth do they expect to recruit people that meet all those requirements in a war torn country and for very little return?

[Sirens of Cyprus]

Yes, that ad is pretty intense. What do they pay?

[crewmeal1]

Around $700 per month, shared accommodation, but free Arabic courses.

[ttxor1]

[cartago]

I was offered a job there but turned it down because of the pay. They say Yemen is very cheap so perhaps it's enough to live there but they need to pay me higher if I'm going to work in such a dangerous place.

[ttxor1]

[Tazz]

'current and informed info'-from somebody who was there 2009-10..... What I have read in the papers during the last 2-3 years makes Yemen sound like a heavy duty environment-teaching wise. Kidnappings of westerns for example-in fact, wasn't a British teacher shot dead a couple of years ago?

[nomad soul]

[ttxor1]

[tvik]

Hi there,

Judst wondering if anyone has more info on YCMES in Yemen. I just was offered a possible job there.... possible.

My degree was in Middle Eastern Civilizations and I had 2 good years in Oman recently plus Saudi and Turkey, so I'm curious. I don't really expect much but I'd like to survive the experience without getting kidnapped.

Any info you have is appreciated.

I'm mostly concerned with the security situation there, as I've read the above comments on the director of the school

[nomad soul]

[crewmeal1]

Also remember any travel or personal insurance may well be 'null and void' if anything happens to you whilst in Yemen. Embassy contact is also has minimal cover and you may well have to use a third party consulate if you encounter problems.